SAPD officers, citizens receive awards

Updated 11:17 pm, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Officer Jonathan Esquivel receives the Purple Heart from Police Chief William McManus. Esquivel was seriously injured in February 2012 when he was hit by a truck at the scene of another accident.

Officer Jonathan Esquivel receives the Purple Heart from Police Chief William McManus. Esquivel was seriously injured in February 2012 when he was hit by a truck at the scene of another accident.

Photo: Photos By Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News

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Officer Alice Torres accepts congratulations after getting her Lifesaving Award for rousing sleeping residents during a fire that destroyed their home last year.

Officer Alice Torres accepts congratulations after getting her Lifesaving Award for rousing sleeping residents during a fire that destroyed their home last year.

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Valero CEO Bill Klesse and CST Brands' CEO Kim Bowers mark the spinoff of CST from Valero with a company party on April 30 2013.

Valero CEO Bill Klesse and CST Brands' CEO Kim Bowers mark the spinoff of CST from Valero with a company party on April 30 2013.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

SAPD officers, citizens receive awards

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The San Antonio Police Department honored more than two dozen officers and 11 civilians in a Tuesday award ceremony that highlighted dedication to service and life-saving efforts.

During the hourlong program, family and friends snapped photos of the honorees as they crossed the stage at Lila Cockrell Theater.

The audience, many fellow officers, rose for a standing ovation when officer Jonathan Esquivel accepted the department's Purple Heart.

Esquivel was seriously injured in February 2012 when he was hit by a truck as he placed traffic cones at the scene of another crash. He has been in rehabilitation to recover from a broken clavicle, a crushed ankle, a broken pelvis, two broken ribs and a fractured neck.

He hopes to return to the force soon.

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“I miss the job, the people I work with,” Esquivel said at the end of the ceremony.

His father, officer Robert Esquivel, watched with pride. A veteran of 20 years, the elder Esquivel called his son his hero.